Solving time 19:58 (one of my faster solves of the week too, as I solved this on the Tuesday or Wednesday, and most of the rest were pretty tough). I was off sick with a nasty summer cold all this week, although luckily I can work from home in my current job so it wasn’t too bad. Took a long time to get 8ac (considering that I live there), but then when I saw it I stuck it in without re-reading the clue and got the tense wrong! Posting early as I’m off to Anax’s 50th birthday party in Altrincham tomorrow morning. Anyone else from here going?
| Across |
| 1 |
RANGE – ANGER (needle) with the last letter put to the front. |
| 4 |
DIATRIBE – RIB (kid) inside D.I. (inspector) + ATE (put away). |
| 8 |
SEND TO COVENTRY – (codes, not)* + V (versus = opposed to) + ENTRY (access). |
| 10 |
SHAMBOLIC – SHAM (act) + [C(lubs) I LOB] reversed. |
| 11 |
HYENA – YEN (hunger) inside H(ot) A(rea). |
| 12 |
IMPAIR – AIR (broadcast) next to IMP (brat). |
| 14 |
WARDROBE – WAR (struggle) + D(esigne)R + O.B.E. (award). |
| 17 |
ANTI-HERO – (heart in O)* (O = zero = love). |
| 18 |
POTASH – T.A. (army) inside POSH (exclusive). |
| 20 |
ECLAT – hidden reversed inside “temperamental centre”. |
| 22 |
MARTYRDOM – MO (short time) + DRY (on the wagon) + TRAM (vehicle), all reversed. |
| 24 |
UNFRIENDLINESS – (in fur)* + ENDLESS (not ceasing) around IN (fashionable). |
| 25 |
DEWY-EYED – DEED (action) around WYE (river) + (ferr)Y. |
| 26 |
COMIC – CO (business) + MIC(e) (rodents without E(nergy)). |
| Down |
| 1 |
RESUSCITATED – (Cruet set said)* |
| 2 |
NINJA – NINA (woman) around (ma)J(or). |
| 3 |
ESTABLISH – STAB (pain) inside (r)ELISH (love without R(ight)). |
| 4 |
DOCILE – DO (complete) + C(h)ILE (country without H(ard)). |
| 5 |
ADVOCAAT – V (vide = see) inside ADO (trouble), + CAT (puss) around A. Yuk, ghastly stuff your granny always drags out at Christmas. |
| 6 |
RANCH – RAN (organized) + CH(urch). A very similar clue to the same word appeared in Tuesday’s puzzle too. |
| 7 |
BARCELONA – CRAB (crustacean) reversed + (alone)*. |
| 9 |
FACE THE MUSIC – F(ollowing) + A (article) + C (circa = about) + ETHIC (system of rules) around EMUS (birds). |
| 13 |
PETULANCE – E.T. (extraterrestrial = alien) inside UP reversed, + LANCE (weapon). |
| 15 |
DIONYSIAC – I (one) inside SYNOD (assembly) reversed + I (current) + AC (account = bill). |
| 16 |
TRUMPERY – TRY (hear) around RUM (odd) + P.E. (exercises). |
| 19 |
GRADED – AD (notice) inside G(ood) + RED (colour). |
| 21 |
TARRY – double definition, two pronunciations. |
| 23 |
DREAM – DAM (mother) around RE (referring to). |
It has, however, recently become fashionable again. Last Christmas, my son and his mates invaded the kitchen with carrier bags of ingredients, and proceeded to brew up bowls full of the stuff, which they called “egg nog”.
Anax has given me, inter alia, so many presents that I feel I ought to show up and give him something. But I trust he realizes that there are heaps of us out there wishing him a happy birthday.
Give my regards to Anax… Actually, no. Find a way to inflict mental torture on him for half an hour or so, THEN buy him a pint!